Modeling Tourist Affinities and Mediated Loyalty in Protected Natural Areas Using Fuzzy Logic

A novel application of fuzzy logic reveals that tourist loyalty in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is indirectly shaped by affinity-based visitor structures, with significant forgotten effects (up to 0.30) acting as mediating mechanisms between satisfaction, entertainment, relaxation, learning, perceived value, and revisit intention. The study identifies Generation X and postgraduate education levels as key factors polarizing visitor perceptions, challenging conventional models that assume direct loyalty construction. This research underscores the potential of fuzzy logic for strategic management in high-value ecological destinations, advocating for environmental edutainment models and diversified marketing tailored to differentiated visitor profiles.

Pérez-Romero, M. E., del Río-Rama, M. d. l. C., Álvarez-García, J., & Sánchez-Aguirre, D. (2026). Modeling Tourist Affinities and Mediated Loyalty in Protected Natural Areas Using Fuzzy Logic. Tourism and Hospitality, 7(5), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7050132